Irish people raise funds to help Native Americans in need

A fundraiser that was set up to aid the Native Americans worst hit by the coronavirus has reached its target after going viral in Ireland on Tuesday.

In the US, the Navajo and Hopi families had set up a COVID-19 relief fund with a target of $1.5 million, after reports revealed that Native Americans are some of the worst affected by the coronavirus.

The GoFundMe fundraiser recently took off in Ireland in an effort to pay them back for their kindness just 173 years ago.

A fundraiser that was set up to aid the Native Americans worst hit by the coronavirus has reached its target after going viral in Ireland on Tuesday. Pic: Getty

In 1847, the Choctaw tribe donated $170 in famine aid to Ireland, which today would be worth $5,000, when they had very little themselves, showing overwhelming generosity.

On the GoFundMe page, a large amount of the comments that go with donations reference the kindness of the Choctaw tribe.

Many Irish donors explained their generosity with comments such as ‘In memory of Black 47’, ‘You helped our people we help yours’, and ‘Ní neart go cur le chéile. There is no strength without unity’.

In the US, the Navajo and Hopi families had set up a COVID-19 relief fund with a target of $1.5 million, after reports revealed that Native Americans are some of the worst affected by the coronavirus. Pic: Getty

‘173 years ago, the people of the Choctaw nation showed Ireland unimaginable generosity,’ wrote another. ‘I am donating today in memory of our shared past, and to help overcome this crisis together – just as we did nearly two centuries ago.’

In response to Ireland’s kindness, one of the fundraiser creators wrote a message of thanks to the Irish people.

‘The heartache is real. We have lost so many of our sacred Navajo elders and youth to COVID-19. It is truly devastating. And a dark time in history for our Nation. In moments like these, we are so grateful for the love and support we have received from all around the world.’

In 1847, the Choctaw tribe donated $170 in famine aid to Ireland, which today would be worth $5,000, when they had very little themselves, showing overwhelming generosity. Pic: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

‘Acts of kindness from indigenous ancestors passed being reciprocated nearly 200 years later through blood memory and interconnectedness. Thank you, IRELAND, for showing solidarity and being here for us.’

It's Thursday night and you're getting ready for your third virtual pub quiz on Zoom this week and you're exhausted. Back when everything was normal, three social events in one week would not be that...

Normally, TikTok isn't the place to go to get your urgent medical advice. A medical student, though, is using the social media app to tell people some basics about what he is learning while becoming...

New data released by the Department of Health has confirmed that another nine people have sadly died from COVID-19 in Ireland. This brings the total number of fatalities since the start of the outbreak to...

An Irish vet has warned about the dangers when sourcing dogs from breeders online like Love Island's Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague. The reality couple's Pomeranian puppy died just six days after they brought him...